Hidden Scar breast cancer surgery is an advanced approach to removing breast cancer.
No visible reminders
Breast cancer can be surgically removed with a mastectomy procedure (your surgeon will remove all of your breast tissue) or a lumpectomy procedure (your surgeon will remove only part of your breast tissue).
Little to no visible reminder of the surgery or your cancer.
With a Hidden Scar approach, your surgeon will place your incision in a location that is hard to see, so that the scar is not visible when your incision heals. As a result, you have little to no visible reminder of the surgery or your cancer.
Why should I consider Hidden Scar surgery?
Scars matter! Breast surgeons are very skilled at removing the cancer or cancer risk. But finding a surgeon who prioritizes your cosmetic outcome is equally important. While many women see their breast surgery scars as an empowering symbol of beating cancer, many do not. Studies show that breast surgery scars significantly impact a woman’s psychological and emotional recovery and quality of life after surgery because scars can have a large impact on a woman’s self-confidence, intimacy, and body image.1
Hidden Scar procedures
The Hidden Scar approach can be performed for a nipple sparing mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure. Patients who undergo the Hidden Scar approach do not have a higher risk of cancer recurrence than patients who undergo any other type of technique.2 You may qualify for Hidden Scar breast cancer surgery based on the size and location of your tumor, your breast shape, and your breast size.
Hidden Scar mastectomy
In a mastectomy procedure, your surgeon removes breast cancer tumor by removing all of the breast tissue. There are several mastectomy options: a simple (total) mastectomy, a skin sparing mastectomy, and a nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM). A Nipple Sparing Mastectomy is a type of mastectomy procedure where the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue, but does not remove the nipple.
A Nipple Sparing Mastectomy can be performed as a Hidden Scar Procedure. This means that the incision is made in a place that is hard to see. There is one location for a Nipple Sparing Mastectomy that make the scar less visible:
• inframammary fold (the natural crease beneath the breast)
You may be considered for a Hidden Scar Nipple Sparing Mastectomy if no cancerous tissue is found in the nipple or if you have DCIS (non-invasive cancer). Additionally, a Hidden Scar Nipple Sparing Mastectomy is a safe approach that can be used in women with a family history of breast cancer opting for a risk-reducing surgery.
Hidden Scar mastectomy
In a mastectomy procedure, your surgeon removes breast cancer tumor by removing all of the breast tissue. There are several mastectomy options: a simple (total) mastectomy, a skin sparing mastectomy, and a nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM). A Nipple Sparing Mastectomy is a type of mastectomy procedure where the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue, but does not remove the nipple.
A Nipple Sparing Mastectomy can be performed as a Hidden Scar Procedure. This means that the incision is made in a place that is hard to see. There is one location for a Nipple Sparing Mastectomy that make the scar less visible:
• inframammary fold (the natural crease beneath the breast)
You may be considered for a Hidden Scar Nipple Sparing Mastectomy if no cancerous tissue is found in the nipple or if you have DCIS (non-invasive cancer). Additionally, a Hidden Scar Nipple Sparing Mastectomy is a safe approach that can be used in women with a family history of breast cancer opting for a risk-reducing surgery.
Hidden Scar lumpectomy
In a lumpectomy procedure, your surgeon will remove a breast cancer tumor and a small portion of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor (margin), but will save the majority of the breast including the nipple area.
You may be considered for a Hidden Scar Lumpectomy if the size of the tumor is small enough relative to the size of your breast, and if the cancer has not spread to other areas of the breast.
A lumpectomy can be performed as a Hidden Scar procedure. This means that the incision is made in a place that is hard to see. There are three different locations for a lumpectomy incision that make the scar less visible:
• inframammary fold (the natural crease beneath the breast)
• along the areola border
• axilla (armpit)
Find a Hidden Scar trained surgeon Questions for your surgeon
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References:
1. LIT 12728 Rev A Wakefield Research Data Report: Survey of Breast Cancer Surgery Patients
2. Sacchini V. et al., Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer and Risk Reduction: Oncologic or Technical Problem? JACS, 2006; 203(5) 5;704-714